I usually stay away from show-going on Sunday nights so I can be well rested for the looming possibility of a manic Monday.  But when I heard Hezekiah Jones and Sisters 3 were playing The Fire (Philadelphia, PA) my live music addiction kicked in and my need for rest was a passing thought.

Sisters 3 performed a very lovely set Sunday night opening with an acapella tune that showcased the flawless harmonies and how well Cassandra, Annachristie, and Beatrice voices accompany each other.  So, take those harmonies, add: keys, acoustic guitar, percussive instruments, excellent songwriting – and you can understand why I stood in awe as I watched Sisters 3 create musical magic on stage that made my ears smile.

I think I might have seen Drunken Barn Dance before but I’m not sure.  Oh well, that’s neither here nor there because I’m positive I saw Drunken Barn Dance Sunday night and they were AWESOME!  They are a band with 3 guitars, bass, and drums that have a killer live energy that goes well with their folk rock style.  It’s refreshing to see a band not afraid to be alive and animated on stage and kudos to the lead singer/guitarist for that catchy kick/hop step.  Well, Drunken Barn dance is from Michigan so I’m not sure when I’ll see them again but I hope it’s not too long.

The special surprise guest of the night was… Naughty Nurses, a 4 member band (vocals, acoustic guitar, and banjo) from Philly.  They performed a lyrically fun, musically interesting, unamplified set giving them a minimalist, indie vibe and I enjoyed it.

The penultimate set belonged to Hezekiah Jones who was joined by 5 other members of the Jones family.  I’ve seen countless Hezekiah Jones sets and they are often my most memorable musical experiences (this night included) because the music is unmistakably good.  Those seemingly endless jams weaved into the songs were unreal.  It’s so exciting to see great musicians having fun jamming out on stage.  I’m so lucky that I get to see Hezekiah Jones, one of my most favorite artists, play live as often as I do.

In honor of Jerry Garcia’s birthday Chris Kasper, Drew Egmont, Kiley Ryan, Philip D’Agostino, Ross Bellenoit, and Jonah played a set of Grateful Dead tunes to end the show.

I loved the somewhat loose sets and the “we’re all among friends” atmosphere that was in The Fire that night.  MAN, it just doesn’t get better than that.

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